The new members of the Barbie family speak volumes about us

As Barbie made it to the cover of Time magazine in side profile, with a body that’s more commonly seen in real life but not in those bright pink boxes, I had a flashback moment.

My grandmother had a theory that it is because I played with so many Barbies when I was young, that I turned out to be tall and skinny like them. On the other hand, I grew up with cousins who fell into the ‘healthy’ category. One of them, the one who I spent most of my youth with, never got the hang of Barbies, unlike me. Sure she watched Cinderella on loop and played with dolls, but she couldn’t get herself to love the stick-like thin figures.

When Mattel announced a range of dolls that were also petite and curvy; had different skin, hair and eye colours; it obviously became a talking point. Since her birth 57 years ago, Barbie has been at the receiving end of constant criticism for setting an unattainable and unhealthy standard of beauty. A whole new market for ‘realistic-looking’ dolls emerged, like the Lammily range, as a counter to Mattel’s unmoving idea of perfection.

This is why Mattel’s shift, although late to the party, is iconic. It’s possible that a drop in sales inspired the big change, but it also speaks volumes about the evolved consumer who refuses to buy into a standardised notion of beauty anymore.

As shelves line up with Barbies that represent a wider, more realistic cross section of women, it reflects the evolution of a global sisterhood. Hopefully, we are headed towards a more accepting, positive-body image future for kids everywhere. Success and confidence come with merit and self-love, not with external appearance and beauty. And if we can emphasise on this enough, it will make it possible for generations of young girls to grow up without insecurities founded on body image.

As for my cousin, I’m going to a grab a Barbie to make up for all the years she couldn’t relate to the skinny, perfect-looking doll.

Go through our gallery of women who love celebrating their body the way it is.

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Malaika Arora Khan, actor

What makes you feel sexy?
Being in a hotel room on a four-poster bed with white sheets… I love it! Besides that, many other things… like a well-fitted pair of jeans.

Image: Tarun Vishwa/Vogue

Ragini Ahuja, fashion designer

What makes you feel sexy?
I feel sexiest in a big ‘boyfriend’ shirt, grungy hair and deep oxblood lips. I also feel great when my innerwear is coordinated—like a nice lacy floral black bra with high-waist boy shorts.

Image: Tarun Vishwa/Vogue

Deanne Panday, fitness expert

What makes you feel sexy?
I feel sexiest in my own skin. It’s all about health and fitness for me… for a 46-year-old, I think I’m in pretty good shape. Scratch that. I’m in pretty good shape. Period. When I look at myself in the mirror, I see a toned body and an even glow—nothing is sexier than that!

Image: Tarun Vishwa/Vogue

Sheena Sippy,photographer

What makes you feel sexy?

I feel sexiest in clothes that are both comfortable and flattering. I honestly don’t believe something is sexy just because it’s skimpy. A hint of curves is more alluring than showing skin. Having said that, on a bad day, cleavage and high heels fix everything!

Image: Tarun Vishwa/Vogue

Masaba Gupta, fashion designer

What makes you feel sexy?
Ripped jeans and oversized shirts. In fact, I feel sexy in anything that is oversized.

Image: Tarun Vishwa/Vogue

Tisca Chopra, actor

What makes you feel sexy?
I feel sexiest when I put on some mascara… and, of course, my husband’s shirt! A long luxurious massage and a pair of [Nicholas] Kirkwood heels have the same effect on me.